Bonfire Night – stay safe

In Great Britain Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November involving bonfires and fireworks. We are probably all a bit rusty on the history of today's celebrations. Do school's still talk about the events behind it? As some will know it all started with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London. Months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure until it was repealed 250 years later!
Towards the end of the 18th century reports appear of children begging for money with effigies of Guy Fawkes and 5 November gradually became known as Guy Fawkes Day.

Most authorities would encourage you today to attend a professional bonfire and firework celebration if possible both on safety grounds as well as cost. There are several in Cheshire West and Chester area and one closer to home at Broomheath Plantation on November 2nd!
However many families are still keen to have a bonfire and let off a few fireworks where they live.
As we start planning the evening here are a few safety points to think about from the Cheshire Fire service to ensure the night ends safely.

Bonfire Safety Advice

• Site the bonfire well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs AND ALWAYS AWAY FROM FIREWORKS
• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
• NEVER use flammable liquids – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire
• Don't burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint and bottles
• Keep everyone away from the fire – especially children, who must be supervised all the time
• For an emergency keep buckets of water or the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready
• Pour water on the embers before leaving

Fireworks

Having fireworks at home can be great fun as long as they are used safely. You can let off fireworks until midnight on Bonfire Night.
If you are putting on a home display you should follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt. Figures have shown that more children than adults get hurt by fireworks.

• Stand well back
• Keep all pets indoors.
• If horses are kept nearby then it is only fair to warn their owners beforehand as horses especially can get frightened by rockets and explosions and owners may need to take special precautions.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box
• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114. Don't cut corners just to save a few pounds
• Light at arm's length, using a taper
• Follow the instructions on each firework
• Never give sparklers to a child under five- sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil
• Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Always supervise children around fireworks
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
• Never go near a firework that has been lit – even if it hasn't gone off it could still explode
• Keep kids safe

We want children to enjoy fireworks but they need to know that they can be dangerous if they are not used properly.

Don't buy fireworks from anywhere you're not sure about, such as the back of a van or from a temporary, unlicensed market stall.

Always read the packet carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you are going to set them off.

See the Cheshire Fire and Rescue servicefor advice on setting fireworks off which is really just common sense.

Some friendly advice to our younger residents-

There are laws about when fireworks can be sold, and to who – as well as the times fireworks can be set off.

If you are under 18, you can't:

• buy the types of fireworks which can be sold only to adults
• have fireworks in public places If you do, the police can give you an on-the-spot fine of £80.

It is against the law to:

• set off or throw fireworks in the street or other public place
• set off fireworks between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am – except during certain celebrations You may be liable for an on-the-spot fine of £80.

Having said all the Health & Safety stuff have a great night and stay safe!